KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 ― As hinted by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil yesterday, Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) has introduced new appointments to the board. The appointments have been introduced following the signing of the Share Subscription Agreement (SSA) by 5 telcos (CelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile, TM and YTL) to purchase a 70 per cent stake within the 5G single wholesale community late final 12 months.
Below is the record of new directors from every respective telcos:
• CelcomDigi – Datuk Kamal Khalid
• Maxis – Uthaya Kumar A/L Ok Vivekananda
• U Mobile – Chang Yit Fei (Alternative: Tan Kok Leong)
• Telekom Malaysia – Nik Azli Abu Zahar (Alternative: Mohamed Tajul Mohamed Sultan)
• YTL – Datuk Seri Yeoh Seok Hong (Alternative: Datuk Dr Fadhlullah Suhaimi Abdul Malek)
The five new members will be a part of different incumbent board members at DNB ― Secretary General of Treasury, Ministry of Finance, Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican and Deputy Secretary General of Digital Ministry, Ma Sivanesan Marimuthu. The appointment is efficient April 24, 2024.
According to DNB, they give the impression of being ahead to acquiring priceless enter and path from the newly constituted Board in driving the development of Malaysia’s digital infrastructure and the adoption of 5G expertise throughout industries, enterprises, public sector and customers.
Malaysia to shift in direction of twin community mannequin
As talked about by Fahmi yesterday, the twin community coverage will proceed and a follow-up announcement might be made by subsequent week. Announced in May final 12 months, Malaysia goals to permit a second competing 5G community as soon as DNB has achieved 80 per cent 5G inhabitants protection by the top of 2023. At the second, the SSA which can allow telcos to take part in DNB by buying a 70 per cent stake continues to be ongoing.
CNA not too long ago reported that Malaysia’s 5G rollout has hit a snag due to transparency considerations. The report alleged that DNB insisted solely the board’s directors can be allowed entry to assessment the continued due diligence to its affairs and the findings should stay confidential and never be shared with the telcos.
DNB has since refuted the report insisting that it has been clear with the award of tenders and contracts for the 5G community deployment together with Ericsson. DNB stated the SSA course of continues to be ongoing and it strongly denies claims made in any other case.
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim not too long ago stated that DNB’s points might be resolved someday this week. The fairness cope with DNB requires due diligence and approvals from the related authorities. From the seems of it, the appointment of the new board members will grant telcos larger visibility into DNB’s operations to full their required due diligence.
The query stays: When will the SSA deal be accomplished? Also, what’s the timeline for Malaysia to permit a second 5G community to be established? ― eNM
